VIDEO: See Blue's Story.  A dog can suffocate in minutes and it can happen to the most loving, careful pet owner.

Pet suffocation in snack, cereal and other bags and containers happens often - and it happens quickly, too.  And it happens to both cats and dogs. Many people have returned home, or walked into another room, to find a bag covering their beloved dog's head. Sadly, many of these dogs are already dead by the time they are found.

While some fortunate dogs are saved by timely and appropriate CPR, their numbers pale in comparison to those who don't survive sticking their head into a bag.

Please explore and share the resources on this page – together we can (and should) prevent pet suffocation!

And please take our survey! The information gathered in this survey will be used in the ongoing campaign to affect change and prevent these devastating pet suffocation tragedies.

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Dec 1–7, 2019 is National Pet Suffocation Awareness Week.
Click to see shareable stories and graphics to help raise awareness and save lives. 

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Prevent Pet Suffocation - What To Do

  • 1. Empty snack, cereal, and dry pet foods into resealable hard containers.

    Tall, thin, resealable food storage containers - such as these options by RubbermaidR – will help to protect your pup and keep your food fresher too!

  • 2. Dispense snacks in bowls.

    While eating on the couch, in the backyard or anywhere your pet could have access when you're not noticing put your snack in a bowl instead of keeping it in its original bag.
    Yikes! It's happenned that people have fallen asleep watching a movie and their dog has gotten into the bag!

  • 3. Cut or tear all chip and food storage bags before discarding.

    Two cuts are best – one across the bottom of the bag and one up the side. Dispose of all bags in sturdy trashcans that are covered or behind a closet or cabinet door.

  • 4. Beware of high-risk events and times of the year.

    Take extra care around the holidays, big sports events, birthday parties, graduations, summer BBQs, and any other time large groups of people are gathering at your home.

  • 5. Restrict your pet's access to the kitchen.

    Don't give your dog(s) unsupervised "run of the house" until you're sure of their safety.  Ideally confine them to one room/area of the house or their crate whenever you leave them alone.  This article has great tips on crate training dogs.

  • 6. Don't give your pets a "taste for" people snacks.

    Don't train with or otherwise intentionally give your pet snacks, chips or other similiar "people treats."

  • 7. Help increase awareness.

    Spread word about the danger of pet suffocation.  Share videos and resources from this site and others.  Share the information with your family, friends, and co-workers.  And for those of you with young children or teenagers at home, be sure to highlight this danger to them so they will also know to exercise caution with these bags around your family pet.

  • 8. Help Bonnie honor Blue's memory.

    Visit and help spread word of Bonnie Harlan's Prevent Pet Suffocation website and Facebook page. Please also read, sign and share Bonnie's Change.org petition to improve chip bag labeling. Bonnie has been doing a great job of spearheading this important cause – and she regularly hears from distraught pet owners who have suffered through this.